Date: 2 September till 12 November 2025
Location: Online
Register here. Please register by 11 July 2025.
More information: UNDPPA Women in Ceasefire Course Flyer 2025

Who is launching the Call?

The Mediation Support Unit (MSU) and the Gender, Peace and Security Unit (GPS) of the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) are pleased to announce the fifth iteration of DPPA Women in Ceasefire Negotiations Course. This virtual course will be conducted from 2 September to 12 November 2025. The course flyer is enclosed for your reference.

The course aims to enhance the capacity of women peacemakers to meaningfully participate in ceasefire negotiations and implementation. Since its launch in 2021, a total of 100 participants have completed the course.  A survey of alumni indicates that most former participants use the skills learned in the course in monitoring ceasefires, mediation and in peacebuilding.

What is the aim of the course? 

The course seeks to impart the technical skills and capacities to enable participants to effectively participate in ceasefire and security arrangements negotiations and eventual implementation of an agreement.

What will this course cover? 

The course will use a diverse set of online methodologies to explore the political and technical elements of ceasefires and provide expertise and experience-sharing on the subject, including concepts, key elements, and recurring challenges faced during negotiations and mediation. It will be organized into a series of modules covering topics such as ceasefire typologies, inclusion strategies, contents of ceasefire agreements, monitoring and verification mechanisms, the protection and safety of civilians, and implementation issues.

The curriculum will draw upon a range of UN resources including existing policies, United Nations General Assembly and Security Council resolutions, DPPA’s Guidance on Mediation of Ceasefires, the United Nations Guidance on Gender and Inclusive Mediation Strategies, existing literature, case studies, and peace agreements. These will be combined with the experiences of the participants and facilitators.

The selected participants will be expected to be able access the on-line sessions from their respective locations through a computer and the internet. A certificate will be presented to each participant upon successful completion of the course.

Who are the participants? 

The course targets mid- to senior-level women negotiators from conflict parties and women peacemakers. Participants will be selected on the basis of their current, or possible future, involvement in peace negotiations. UN staff and consultants are not eligible to apply.

The course will be particularly useful for women interested in building their technical knowledge to participate in discussions/negotiations on ceasefires and other security arrangements. For the 2025 course, the organizers will select approximately 25 participants drawn from state and non-state parties/actors and civil society networks from a range of diverse countries and contexts.

How to apply?  

Interested women candidates are invited to apply via this Application Form by 11 July 2025.

Is there an application or course fee? 

NO. The course is free of charge.